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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father Gary B. Snyder

Birth date: July 15, 1946

Hometown: Mount Carmel Parish

Education: Kuemper High School – 1964, St. Johns Univ., Loras College, Conception Seminary, St. Paul Seminary (M.Div)

Ordination date: May 25, 1974

Current assignment: Pastor - St. Michael, Sioux City

Hobbies/interests: Golf, collecting model tractors and cars

Describe your call to priesthood. My first thoughts of the priesthood came in the fifth grade of school when I began serving Mass. I also enjoyed reading the lives of the saints.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? I had a great admiration of my Pastor, Father O.W. Koester. There were a number of priests on the faculty of Kuemper High School in the 1960’s. They were fine mentors and models.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Yes and no. I had great support from my parents, siblings, and friends. I attended the seminary in the final years and aftermath of Vatican II, a time of transition. Several of my classmates left the seminary. I, too, left for a couple of years. I’m happy that I returned.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? I have had a variety of assignments in our Catholic schools and parishes. I have never been disappointed with any assignment. All have been challenging but I have become acquainted with wonderful people in every locality whose friendships I treasure and whose faith is inspiring.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? The liturgy of the hours is the mainstay of my prayer life. From my youth I still enjoy reading the lives of the saints.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? I can’t think of any other vocation that allows one to be a part of so many families at the highest and lowest times of their lives. It’s also a very humbling vocation, because Jesus pulls you through many a situation. You’d like to take credit, but you know your inadequacies.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? There are many nay sayers in our society today. Give it a chance. It is most rewarding. And even in a recession, you will never have to worry about being unemployed!